Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

Federal Inspectors Cite King-Harbor Hospital

Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital on Tuesday was cited by CMS regulators for putting patients in "immediate jeopardy," an indication that the facility still does not meet federal patient care standards, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The citation came after a psychiatric patient cut herself with a scalpel in an emergency department bathroom, according to Los Angeles County health officials. The injuries were not serious.

Following the incident, the county submitted a preliminary corrective action plan and also reported the matter to state health officials.

Inspection

CMS regulators on Monday began a weeklong inspection of King-Harbor Hospital to determine whether it meets minimum patient care standards. The hospital since 2004 has failed to meet such standards.

If King-Harbor fails the inspection, the hospital will lose $200 million in federal funding and will be forced to close its doors.

County health officials must provide inspectors a more comprehensive corrective action plan regarding the scalpel incident before the inspection can conclude. CMS officials by Aug. 15 are expected to announce their findings (Rosenblatt/Ornstein, Los Angeles Times, 7/26).

Broadcast Coverage

KPCC's "AirTalk" on Tuesday included a discussion with Los Angeles Times reporter Charles Ornstein about the inspection (Mantle, "AirTalk," KPCC, 7/24).